Puerto Vallarta On Your Own

Getting Around

Orientation

Your ship will dock in the Marina Vallarta Maritime Terminal, about three miles north of downtown. Some ships, however, will anchor in the harbor, and passengers must use the ship's tender. Check with your cruise line to determine your circumstances.

The Maritime Terminal is in the middle of Banderas Bay. To the south is the city of Puerto Vallarta, about 3 miles away. To the north is the airport, Nuevo Vallarta, where you'll find a string of high-rise hotels hugging the beach, and Riviera Nayarit, a new resort area.

Directly south of the Marina is the Hotel Zone, which stretches for about 2 1/2 miles. As you continue south, you'll come to Centro, or the downtown area; this is where you'll find the zocalo and the pretty cathedral.

The southern border of the Centro area is the Rio Cuale, which is crossed by two bridges bookending Isla Cuale and its outdoor market. The arty district of Olas Atlas (also called the Old Town or the Romantic Zone) is just south of the Isla Cuale. Restaurants abound in this area, as well as along the seashore.

Taxis Taxis are probably the easiest way to get around Puerto Vallarta.

There are two kinds of taxi cabs in Puerto Vallarta: those at the Maritime Terminal are usually vans that can only be boarded at the harbor (or airport). They charge a set rate per passenger.

City cabs are mostly Nissan yellow sedans, and they charge by the ride, not by passenger. The fare is negotiable, so be sure to agree on the fare before you board the cab.

Bus Service The bus service in Puerto Vallarta runs a variety of routes using older, somewhat banged-up vehicles. The current fare is $5 pesos per ticket, and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus (i.e., there are no transfers). The rate for longer distances, such as to Mismaloya, is $5.5 pesos. You really do need exact change.

Car Rental Because of the amount of time your ship spends in Puerto Vallarta, renting a car is a real option here. But it may prove even easier to just rent a van and a driver for the day.

Exclusive CruisePortInsider Deals in Puerto Vallarta

We at CruisePortInsider are on the lookout for special deals for our readers that are not only fun, but a great value too. Here is a great deal for those of you who want to spend a funday at a Puerto Vallarta beach resort:

Discount on Day Passes at the Crown Paradise Club

Located within walking distance of the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta is offering all-you-can-eat, drink and play Day Passes at their beachside resort. And from April 11 to July 9, and from August 15 to December 18 2010, the Day Passes are 50% off when you mention CruisePortInsider.com. Get the details on this great offer.

Special Day Pass Rates at the Krystal Puerto Vallarta Resort

Take your pick of two special day pass rates at the beautiful Krystal Puerto Vallarta Resort. They're offering an all-inclusive all-you-can-eat, drink and play Day Pass to their 25 acre beachfront facility, or a less expensive option that's also a great deal. Get the details on this great offer.

Shopping

Puerto Vallarta's shops offer a good variety of handicrafts and souvenirs. Almost every handcraft produced in Mexico is sold in this port town, including folk art, masks, clothing and textiles, shawls, ceramics, blown glass, silver and wood carvings.

What's Special in Puerto Vallarta

Goods produced locally, including folk art, leather sandals, hand made cotton clothing and artisanal tequilas.

Recommended Shops in Puerto Vallarta

See our Map of Recommended Puerto Vallarta Shops for the locations of the shops listed below.

Mercado de Isla Cuale
Gifts and Souvenirs

This pleasant outdoor market stretches the length of Cuale Island, and is set among old trees siding the river. You'll find a variety of products being sold, including clothing, gifts and souvenirs. You've got to bargain; start with 50% off, and you're getting a good deal if you end up knocking about 25% off the original price.
On Cuale Island
Open 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Municipal Market (Flea Market)
Regional arts and crafts

For truly devoted shoppers, no trip to Puerto Vallarta can be complete without visiting the Municipal Market, the two-story flea market where you can find just about anything. You've got to bargain, and you're getting a good deal if you can knock about 20% off the original price. Items of special interest are leather goods, pottery and woven items. Expect to pay cash. And if your spouse is in tow, but bored silly, he can go across the street to the outdoor restaurant and enjoy a cold beer.
Insurgentes Street at the bridge
Open daily 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Mundo de Azulejos
Talavera tiles

Mundo de Azulejos is the only Talavera tile producing factory in Puerto Vallarta. They offer factory tours, where you can learn about the processes used to create a variety of artistic tiles for kitchens, baths or terraces. The factory also produces quality handcrafted pottery. The store offers worldwide delivery.
Open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard
374 Venustiano Carranza

Arte Magico Huichol
Arts and Crafts of the Huichol tribe

A selection of yarn paintings by shaman Jose Benitez Sanchez of the Huichol Indian tribe. Additional folk art from the The Huichol, who live in nearby Nayarit, is on display, including beaded ceramic bowls, eggs, animal figures and jaguar heads.
Open daily 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Accepts Visa and MasterCard
Corona 179

Alfareria Tlaquepaque
Souvenirs and artwork

A Puerto Vallarta institution since 1953. Tlaquepaque has a large selection of ceramics and other folk art items, including pre-Hispanic figures, vases, cups, glasses and scads of other quality Mexican handcrafted items.
Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard
Ave Mexico 1100

Malecon
Tequila stores

Puerto Vallarta's seaside Malecon is not only a pleasant walk, but you'll find a number of shops selling boutique tequilas made in the area. They will offer you a sample of their wares, and provide the packing materials so you can safely bring it back home in your luggage.

Jalisco Cuisine

Called the "most Mexican" of states of Mexico, Jalisco is the home of mariachi music and tequila. Geographically, the state is quite diverse, with a narrow coastal zone, the Sierra Madre mountains to the east, then temperate central valleys featuring lakes, highlands and lowlands. Guadalajara, the capital, is in the center of the state.

The cuisine of Jalisco comprises a mosaic of dishes that changes with the terrain. In the coastal area you will find many traditional fish dishes, such as pescado zarandeado, a charcoal grilled fish. As Jalisco climbs east toward the Sierra Madre mountains, ranch cooking predominates. Pozole, Mexico's pork and hominy stew, originated here as did birria, mutton or goat prepared in an adobo sauce and served in a rich tomato and meat broth.

Food in Jalisco is often accompanied by tequila with a chaser of sangrita. Diners frequently finish their meal with the classic Jaliscan dessert, jericalla, a sweet custard.

Traditional Jalisco dishes include:

• Pozole: thick, hominy-based soup with hunks of pork, tomato, cilantro and garbanzos
  
• Birria: stewed goat or pork in thick, spicy tomato broth
  
• Sopa de Elote: sweet corn soup
  
• Caviar de Carpa (Lake Chapala area): carp caviar
  
• Ancas de Rana al Mojo de Ajo (Lake Chapala area): frog legs in garlic sauce
  
• Pico de Gallo: appetizer accompanying tequila, consisting of small squares of jicama, orange sections, lemon juice, all sprinkled with flakes of chili piquin
  
• Jericalla: a sweet custard flavored with cinnamon and vanilla

Traditional beverages of Jalisco include:

• Sangrita: sweetened orange juice with ground onion, chili pepper, salt and vegetable coloring
  
• Tejuino: fermented from corn, with alcohol added

Cuisine in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta offers a wide variety of restaurants featuring Mexican and international cuisine. The city has become a gourmet dining destination, and hosts the Mexican Gastronomy Fair held each November. Yet the town retains the laid-back feel of a traditional fishing village, where a meal of simply prepared seafood can be a heavenly experience. Banderas Bay offers chefs a good selection and variety of seafood, including black marlin, tuna, shellfish and octopus.

Restaurants

Recommended Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

See our Recommended Puerto Vallarta Restaurants Map for the locations of the restaurants listed below.

La Palapa Restaurant
International
Great service and delicious food complement the restaurant's casual yet elegant ambience. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard.
Pulpito 103, on Playa de los Muertos
Open daily, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
Tel: (322) 222-5225

Cafe des Artistes
French
Excellent French and Mexican cuisine with attentive service in an avant garde setting. Good wine selection. Full bar. Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard.
Guadalupe Sanchez 740
Open daily 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
Tel: (322) 222-3228

Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant & Cafe
Continental
Beautiful small restaurant with European and Austrian contemporary and traditional cuisine. A favorite is the signature Braised Baby Lamb Strips with rosemary and local poblano chile. Their cakes, ice cream and coffee are a very good finish to your meal. The European ambience is complemented by a romantic terrace overlooking the street.
Olas Atlas 380-B, in the Romantic Zone
Open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Tel: (322) 223-0760

Hacienda Alemana
German
Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant offers a variety of fresh salads, vegetarian dishes, delicious fish and seafood, and all of your traditional German favorites. Dine al fresco on the garden patio or in the air-conditioned indoor dining room. No credit cards.
Basilio Badillo #378, on Restaurant Row
Open daily from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Tel: (322) 222-2071

Le Kliff
Seafood
Perched on the edge of a cliff, Le Kliff is renowned for its excellent service and contemporary Mexican cuisine with Asian accents. You will dine under a giant palapa with a fantastic ocean view. Recognized as "the most beautiful restaurant in Mexico" by Mexicana Airlines. Full bar. Reservations required. Accepts Visa and MasterCard.
South shore Km 17.5, near Mismaloya
Open daily 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tel: (322) 224-0975

El Andariego
Mexican
Just a few blocks up from the Malecon, El Andariego's menu offers good Mexican food and excellent, attentive service at reasonable prices. Full bar. Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard
Avenida Mexico 1358
Open daily 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Tel: (322) 223-2100

El Arrayan
Mexican
Traditional Mexican food. If you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, you'll surely enjoy the wonderful flavors created from fresh ingredients. Vegetarian menu available. Recognized as the best Mexican restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
Allende 344, Centro
Open Wednesday to Monday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Tel: (322) 222-7195

La Ronda
International
Good international and Mexican food. A favorite of the locals.
Aquiles Serdan 372, just east of Insurgentes.
Open 1:00 pm to midnight. Closed Mondays.

Mariscos Polo
Seafood
Excellent Seafood, reasonable prices and good service make Mariscos Polo one of the best seafood places in Puerto Vallarta.
Francisco Madero 376, around the corner from Cine Bahia.
Open Wednesday through Monday, noon to 10:00 pm. Closed for month of August.
Tel: (322) 113-0364

River Cafe
Continental
Wonderful ambiance in a riverside setting, with gourmet food. Accepts Amex, Visa and MasterCard
Isla Rio Cuale local 4
Open daily 9:00 am to 11:30 pm
Tel: (322) 223-0788

Activities, Tours & Excursions

Tour Companies

There is a lot to do in Puerto Vallarta, and there are a just few companies that dominate the tour business here. Vallarta Adventures is the largest, offering everything from America's Cup Racing to Whale Watching tours. They also run the Dolphin Adventure park, and own a 99-year lease on Las Caletas. Another large company is Banderas Bay Tours and Travel, offering a variety of excursions.

You can buy your tickets directly from either Vallarta Adventures or Banderas Bay Tours over the internet; you may even receive a discount. You can also walk down the streets of Puerto Vallarta and be offered the same tours at discounted prices.

Private Tour Guides

Using the services of a private tour guide can be a good alternative for larger groups. Ibarra Puerto Vallarta Tours provides air-conditioned vans, complete with a stereo and cooler, that can accommodate groups of up to 8 people. They offer several set tours, plus you can also arrange custom itineraries for your day in Puerto Vallarta.

Resort Day Passes

The Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta offers Day Passes (from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm) at their resort facility, located just south of the Cruise Ship Terminal at the beginning of the hotel zone. It's within easy walking distance, so you don't have to hail a taxi to get there. The resort features a buffet restaurant, three specialty restaurants and two snack bars. In addition, you'll find three bars, a giant Jacuzzi with a swim-up bar, and a sports bar with a game room area featuring Nintendo Wii and X-Box consoles for the entire family. For water enthusiasts, the resort features an activities pool and a water park with a pirate ship, castle and nine water slides. Other amenities include tennis courts, a daytime entertainment program including aqua-aerobics, beach volleyball, cooking lessons, bartending lessons, yoga, spinning, stationary bicycles, a Baby Paradise Club, Kids Club and much more. WIFI is available in all public areas (with a prepaid card purchased at the front desk), and the resort also features an air-conditioned internet center.

The price for the Day Pass is US$75 per person (kids aged 7 to 12 are US$25, and under 7 are free). Day Pass includes: wristband access to the facilities, use of the beach and beach chairs, day activities, lunch, snacks and drinks. If you require a day room, the price is US$140 for the period 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. You don't need to make a reservation; when you get to the Hotel, just ask for a Day Pass at the front desk.

SPECIAL CRUISE PORT INSIDER DISCOUNT: The resort is offering a 50% discount for all adult cruise passengers who mention CruisePortInsider at the front desk; this special discount is available from April 11 to July 9, and from August 15 to December 18, 2010. (This offer is capacity controlled by occupancy levels and may not apply.)

Location: Avenida Paseo de las Garzas S/N, Zona Hotelera Norte
Email: prcrownpv@crownparadise.com
Tel: +52 (322) 226 68 68

Enjoy the Mexican hospitality of the Krystal Puerto Vallarta, a 25 acre hacienda-style resort with 2½ miles of golden sand beachfront, beautiful Colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, Mexican aqueducts, 3 large pools and over 40 bubbling fountains. Located in the heart of the Hotel district, the Krystal Puerto Vallarta is an easy 5-minute walk from the Cruise Terminal. The hotel features two swim up bars, a buffet and a la carte beachfront restaurant and poolside snack bar. Additional amenities of the resort include a full service spa with steam rooms, gym, outdoor Jacuzzis, tennis courts and water sports (equipment rental is at an additional cost). Wireless internet access is also available, at an additional cost.

The Krystal Puerto Vallarta's day passes come in two flavors:

An all-inclusive pass, good from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, includes access to the hotel's pools, beach and other facilities, as well as food and national beverages from the resort's Las Velas buffet and a la carte beachfront restaurant, poolside Snack Bar, and two swim up bars. SPECIAL CRUISE PORT INSIDER RATE: The cost is US$50 for adults and children.

An access only pass, good from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, includes access to the hotel’s pools, beach and other facilities. The cost is $250 pesos per person, and comes with $250 pesos credit for food and beverages within the resort. All expenditures above $250 pesos are the responsibility of the guest.

No reservations are necessary. You can purchase either of the day passes at the front desk; just show your cruise card and mention CruisePortInsider. (This offer is capacity controlled by occupancy levels and may not apply.)

Location: Avenida de las Garzas S/N, Zona Hotelera Norte
E-mail: nhpuertovallarta@nh-hotels.com
Tel: +52 (322) 226-0700

Water Sports

Bahia Banderas is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. In Puerto Vallarta, you can do some windsurfing, deep sea fishing, diving, snorkeling, yachting, kayaking and parasailing. Check Vallarta Adventures and Banderas Bay Tours for their water sports offerings.

Las Caletas

This enclave on the southern shore of Banderas Bay is only accessible by boat. The trip is about an hour away from Puerto Vallarta. Las Caletas was once the home of John Huston, so it has a little stardust. You can do as little or as much as you want here; take a guided nature walk, relax at the hilltop spa, snorkel and dive with sea lions, or just hang out on the beach in a hand-woven hammock under the shade of palm trees. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Arrange your trip through Vallarta Adventures, who run the place.

Downtown Walking Tour

Don't go to Puerto Vallarta without visiting the Centro, or downtown area. The red-tiled houses along the central streets house chic art galleries, clothing boutiques and shops selling interesting folk art, and the palm-lined seafront Malecon is filled with bars and discos. On the main square, Plaza de Armas, you'll find the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church and the modern Palacio Municipal, which also houses a helpful tourist office. It's a short walk up a steep walkway to Casa Kimberly, the erstwhile home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (it has been operating as a B & B, and is now undergoing refurbishment).

South of the Centro is the Rio Cuale, and then the Olas Atlas area, also known as the Romantic Zone. Here you'll find lots of upscale restaurants, bars, art galleries and other shops located in older turn-of-the-century buildings.

Malecon/Sea Walk

The Malecon sea walk is a fun way to explore Puerto Vallarta's beaches. Check out the bronze sculptures dotting the shoreline, and take in some of the stores, bars and restaurants. You can also do some parasailing or hop on a boat for a trip on the bay.

Whale Watching

Whale watching expeditions in Banderas Bay get close enough so you can see mothers swimming with their young. With some luck a curious a baby will approach the boat and you'll be able to touch them. Arrange your whale watching tour through Vallarta Adventures or Banderas Bay Tours.

Rhythms of the Night Show

Las Caletas by night becomes the mystic setting for this dance show. After a romantic sunset cruise, you will be taken to a beach where shimmering torches light your way to a spectacle of dance, song and mysticism. Arrange your show tickets through Vallarta Adventures, which produces the show.

Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is an unforgettable experience. In Puerto Vallarta there two aquatic parks that give you the extraordinary opportunity of interacting with the Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphin Adventure Center is owned by Vallarta Adventures. The park is located in Nuevo Vallarta adjacent to the Nuevo Vallarta Marina, a short drive from the Maritime Terminal.

Aquaventuras Park (formerly known as Sea Life Park), also located in Nuevo Vallarta, offers a number of interactive dolphin experiences.